Mermaid Cottages, Tybee Island, Georgia

We turned off the main road through Tybee Island onto a quiet side street which had at its end a sandy path leading directly to the ocean. We pulled up to the teeny, hot pink cottage that was steps from the beach. We were both taken aback at the perfection of this little place.

Old Love Cottage is a classic, 1920’s beach cottage – one of many from Mermaid Cottages –  that has been completely renovated. I had seen pictures of it online before we arrived on Tybee for a couple days before we headed to Savannah but the pictures had not done it justice and didn’t make you appreciate how close it was to the beach. You can actually see the ocean from the charming back cottage.

Front of Old Love Cottage

We stepped inside and were immediately enchanted. This was a dollhouse! With a tin roof, bead board walls, pocket windows, and a picket-fenced yard, that is precisely what it is. The private road and private beach access are wonderful but you are also just minutes away from great restaurants and shopping.

We dropped our bags and began to explore our residence for the next couple of days. This would not take long, since we could see the entire house from the front door! We were greeted by a cool and lovely interior – we would come to appreciate the great air conditioning along with some of the best wifi we had on our whole trip – and crisp, clean colors of white and turquoise. In the front room as you enter was a day bed which would be great for a child to sleep or for a place to lounge on and read while others watched television.

Charming front room.

We stepped up one step to the living room, comfortably furnished with cushy furniture and a television with DVD player and IPod sound system.

We spent a lot of time relaxing in those chairs.

The kitchen was just the perfect size for us. It was so nice to stay in a house with a kitchen instead of a hotel room! We put snacks and drinks in the fridge and enjoyed popcorn and warmed up leftovers in the microwave.There is even a dishwasher.

Love all the turquoise!

There are fun and kitschy touches all over the house, many with a beach theme.

Shells in the window in the kitchen.

More shells on the porch.

Guitar in the front room.

The bathroom is small but there are shelves to put your toiletries and cosmetics, plenty of soft towels and the bedroom is just the right size to sleep comfortably.

Perfect place for a good night's sleep!

I had not done my normal research online, instead trusting that they would pick the perfect place – which they did. So we were both surprised to see another cottage behind ours, painted the same hot pink and obviously part of the same property. The back cottage makes Old Love Cottage really perfect for two couples, a family traveling together or a girlfriends getaway. Be aware that anyone staying back there will have to come to the front cottage to use the bathroom but it’s only a few steps – and what a darling place! Comfortably air-conditioned, with its own television and a view of the ocean, you might have a hard time getting the occupants of the back cottage to leave!

Cottage in the back yard!

Perfect hideaway!

This is a great place for a group that wants to be together but also needs a little space to spread out. Then, everyone can get together in the beautiful backyard!

Mermaid welcomes you to the back cottage.

Lovely backyard.

Take a book back here and spend the afternoon.

We had explored our property – two cottages! who knew? – and now it was time for the real reason we were in Tybee. No, not to eat. That came later but, believe me, we did eat some great food! I’m talking about this.

Path to the beach right by our cottage.

This is 99 1/2 steps from the front door of Old Love Cottage. LOVE.

Our darling cottage is the perfect place for any group. The location is absolutely ideal and the cottage is just so incredibly charming. We loved everything about it.

Mermaid Cottages has dozens more of these cottages, equally charming and quaint. I plan to check out some of them when I am in the area next week. You will want to spend a lot of time in your cottage and on the nearby beach but, when you are ready for a meal, believe me when I tell you that Tybee is ready for you! I have been there twice – and am heading that way again soon – and the food is absolutely incredible.

Be sure to set aside an afternoon or evening to visit the Crab Shack. Located on what was originally a sleepy little fishing camp, it has expanded into a large restaurant with a huge deck that is perfect for enjoying the lake and marsh view as you consume some of the best low country boil food you will ever have. Order the mashed new potatoes and a plate of the boil with shrimp and sausage – you will not be sorry. On another night, spend some time strolling around the Tybee pier – have an ice cream cone, pick up some souvenirs at the little shops and enjoy the view from the pier.

Tybee beach from the pier.

 But, before that ice cream,  have dinner at Spanky’s right by the pier. Everything they have on the menu is delicious, but if you order the shrimp quesadilla, you will be very, very happy.

Shrimp Quesadilla from Spanky's - YUM.

You can spend your entire vacation lounging on the beach which, to my mind, sounds like the perfect vacation, but if you want a few other things to do, head to the Tybee Light Station and Museum to get your exercise trekking up the stairs for the incredible view or take a boat trip nature tour. We had a great one last year with Sundial Nature Tours where my grandson was thrilled to see dolphins. One of the best things about Tybee Island is that it is just a few minutes away from beautiful Savannah and there’s tons of things to do there – and some great restaurants. You might possibly be getting the idea that we like to eat a lot and you would be totally correct.

Luckily, Tybee Island is the perfect place to eat. And lie on the beach. And eat some more.

Actually. The absolutely perfect vacation.

Full disclosure: Our stay was provided by Mermaid Cottages, but as always, I will share my honest opinion about any travel experiences I have.

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